Trib: This, Mr. Sali, Is What Hate Crime Means

Full editorial here

If Rep. Bill Sali, R-Idaho, remains hazy about what constitutes a “hate crime,” he should check out a Lewiston police report from Sept. 12. A 13-year-old Indian girl received a bloody beating for questioning a group of people who were allegedly standing in front of an apartment complex and verbally abusing passersby while chanting “white power” and “white pride.” “What about native pride?” the girl reportedly asked. That was enough - according to the police - for the girl to get hit in the face. When the victim hit the ground, the attacker’s mother allegedly joined in. The police report says she literally kicked the victim when she was down. Meanwhile, half a dozen young men allegedly cheered for the attackers. And that, Congressman, is a textbook description of a hate crime/ Tom Henderson , Lewiston Tribune.

Question: Do you have a problem with defining “hate crime”?